I currently have a 3-day subscription to Volvo's tech info site, and I see there is a Technical Journal article (attached) about this issue in the C40 and XC40 EV, reference number TJ36424.1.0, issued 2022-12-13, updated 2023-01-10, titled "Vibrations in steering wheel above 60 mph". Basically it says that if the vibration remains after ruling out wheel imbalance, don't do anything yet because analysis is ongoing and the TJ will be updated when more info is available.
Wheel Vibrations at Higher Speeds / Acceleration
Good Afternoon!
I am curious if any of you have experienced vibrations at between 60-65 mph that can be felt in the vehicle and steering wheel? I also get vibrations during faster than normal accelerations from a dead stop or while still moving. I have taken this in to be evaluated. However, their solution was to floor it to 70mph+ on a busy road (35mph Speed Limit zone) and say that they could barely feel anything. They went on the blame some mud in my rim and very begrudgingly agreed to rebalance my tires. It did next to nothing. I went home and checked the tire pressures. They were off still. I resolved that issue, and although the vibrations are not as bad, they still exist. My 2014 Chevy Volt rides smoother at these speeds and acceleration. Thoughts?
I am curious if any of you have experienced vibrations at between 60-65 mph that can be felt in the vehicle and steering wheel? I also get vibrations during faster than normal accelerations from a dead stop or while still moving. I have taken this in to be evaluated. However, their solution was to floor it to 70mph+ on a busy road (35mph Speed Limit zone) and say that they could barely feel anything. They went on the blame some mud in my rim and very begrudgingly agreed to rebalance my tires. It did next to nothing. I went home and checked the tire pressures. They were off still. I resolved that issue, and although the vibrations are not as bad, they still exist. My 2014 Chevy Volt rides smoother at these speeds and acceleration. Thoughts?
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Thanks for this info. It is exactly what my dealer told me. They did all diagnosis, excluded wheels and alignment issues and are now waiting for Volvo’s instruction.I currently have a 3-day subscription to Volvo's tech info site, and I see there is a Technical Journal article (attached) about this issue in the C40 and XC40 EV, reference number TJ36424.1.0, issued 2022-12-13, updated 2023-01-10, titled "Vibrations in steering wheel above 60 mph". Basically it says that if the vibration remains after ruling out wheel imbalance, don't do anything yet because analysis is ongoing and the TJ will be updated when more info is available.
Has anyone with this issue found a solution other than replacing the car? Has anyone heard from Volvo Corporate on how to solve this vibration at highway speeds problem? Is it time for legal action?There is no way tire rebalancing is going to solve what is being described in this thread. I would not accept a vehicle back with that explanation. Why they think it made it better is because tires today seem more out of round than ever. If they get really OCD with the balance there might be some slight improvement to ride quality, but that can't explain the phenomenon being described. It's troubling that dealers are not aware of the need for a systemic solution.
During the winter I had lots of issues because dirt/ice was getting stuck in the wheels, causing serious vibration. Three weeks ago, switched to summer tires and wheels were cleaned. Major difference, MUCH smoother. But now I think I may have the same vibration issue discussed here. The winter vibrations just alter my base reference to what vibration is. Unlike this winter, only the steering is vibrating, not the vehicle. At first I thought it was just the steering wheel transferring the road surface as the vibration seems to change depending on the type of surface. What I noticed is the vibration is one cycle of 1-2 seconds. Imagine a sinusoidal waveform representing the intensity of the vibration. In my case seems like the nicer, the road surface the more it will vibrate. On section of the roads with deep rut, I can't feel it.
Do people that have that vibration also notice the cycle or is it a steady vibration.
Do people that have that vibration also notice the cycle or is it a steady vibration.
23 XC40 Recharge, ~500 miles. Same issue from day one. Yes mine has a periodicity to it also (beat fequency), kinda like when you are on a twin engine jet and the engines are not quite synced.
In the shop today we will see what they say.
Cheers.
In the shop today we will see what they say.
Cheers.
Yes it is a periodic cycle of vibration. On then off, on then off. Which is why I'm concerned about the motor and axle.
How long are we supposed to wait? Is it time for legal action?I currently have a 3-day subscription to Volvo's tech info site, and I see there is a Technical Journal article (attached) about this issue in the C40 and XC40 EV, reference number TJ36424.1.0, issued 2022-12-13, updated 2023-01-10, titled "Vibrations in steering wheel above 60 mph". Basically it says that if the vibration remains after ruling out wheel imbalance, don't do anything yet because analysis is ongoing and the TJ will be updated when more info is available.
So I picked my car up after they did the road force balancing. Interestingly, they said they had to replace a tire because it wouldn’t balance properly. In any event, they claimed the vibration issue was solved.
But as I drove the car home, I noticed the vibration issue right away. It was no better than when I took it in.
I scheduled another appointment with the dealer and reached out to Volvo customer service. I am scheduled to take the car back in on Monday morning.
But today, something strange happened: as I was driving close to 65mph, the vibration was gone. I slowed down and sped up and the wheel remained vibration-free.
Am I going crazy? Has anyone else experienced this vibration to be intermittent?
Thanks, as always, for the advice.
But as I drove the car home, I noticed the vibration issue right away. It was no better than when I took it in.
I scheduled another appointment with the dealer and reached out to Volvo customer service. I am scheduled to take the car back in on Monday morning.
But today, something strange happened: as I was driving close to 65mph, the vibration was gone. I slowed down and sped up and the wheel remained vibration-free.
Am I going crazy? Has anyone else experienced this vibration to be intermittent?
Thanks, as always, for the advice.
I'm not 100% certain, still trying to figure it out, but I believe the road surface has something to do with it and maybe the slope.So I picked my car up after they did the road force balancing. Interestingly, they said they had to replace a tire because it wouldn’t balance properly. In any event, they claimed the vibration issue was solved.
But as I drove the car home, I noticed the vibration issue right away. It was no better than when I took it in.
I scheduled another appointment with the dealer and reached out to Volvo customer service. I am scheduled to take the car back in on Monday morning.
But today, something strange happened: as I was driving close to 65mph, the vibration was gone. I slowed down and sped up and the wheel remained vibration-free.
Am I going crazy? Has anyone else experienced this vibration to be intermittent?
Thanks, as always, for the advice.
I agree that road surface can effect even the harmonic highway speed vibrations. Wet surfaces seem to reduce their amplitude.
Very good question. My plan is to send a letter to Volvo Canada and my dealer and take it from there. I'm hoping they will buy back the vehicle but I'm not holding my breath. I doubt I will take any legal action, too much time and money. Seeling the vehicle is the second option, but I feel very bad for the buyer, mostly if the vibration is not fixed. Third is biting the bullet and learn from my mistake of trusting a brand name, that's on me.How long are we supposed to wait? Is it time for legal action?
I wonder if the vibration is present in most XC40/C40 Recharge but people are not sensitive enough to feel it or think it's normal/acceptable. Or if it just affects a small percentage of the vehicle.
Let's says Volvo says everything is fine and it's all by design, by what criteria a judge would rule against a Volvo. Where is the line?
This may explain how dealers with impacted demo cars are still making sales.but people are not sensitive enough to feel it or think it's normal/acceptable
It's a fair point. I would hope that the vibrations masking symptoms of poorly balanced wheels/bulging tires would make this an easy safety based decision.Let's says Volvo says everything is fine and it's all by design, by what criteria a judge would rule against a Volvo. Where is the line?
I agree.
The current service bulletins direct Volvo service departments to first check wheels and tires for balance. Some of us with the issue had road force balancing done initially. I, for one, got a different tire because the factory mounted one was "out of range for balancing". But that only slightly diminished the problem. It's still there. The car has less than 1,000 miles. Masking a wheel or tire problem is a safety issue and a mark against Volvo's reputation. That is why they should have solved it by now.
The current service bulletins direct Volvo service departments to first check wheels and tires for balance. Some of us with the issue had road force balancing done initially. I, for one, got a different tire because the factory mounted one was "out of range for balancing". But that only slightly diminished the problem. It's still there. The car has less than 1,000 miles. Masking a wheel or tire problem is a safety issue and a mark against Volvo's reputation. That is why they should have solved it by now.
Just got the car back from the dealer, technician stated they could find no issue and the car drove "perfect" I requested that the service advisor go for a drive with me so I could show him the vibration. But I picked up the car right at rush hour so it would be tough to hold the speed consistent enough. He also asked if I could take a video, wth? I have to go back next week for a part replacement in the drivers set so hopefully I can show them the vibration. Keeping an email trail on all my interactions with the Dealership.
Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome.
Went to the dealer yesterday with that same problem + a few others. According to the mechanic it's a known issue at Volvo and they're working on a solution - but for now we're unfortunately at a loss and have to just accept it.
I just heard from my dealer. They said that Volvo says the vibration might be caused by the front axles and there is a new bulletin on it. I’ll let you know when I hear more.
Fantastic to hear that Volvo is acknowledging the issue. Please keep us posted. I'm sure the fix will take some time but for me, and others, it could mean keeping a car that was beginning to look like a lemon.
Sure would like to get a look at that TSB.I just heard from my dealer. They said that Volvo says the vibration might be caused by the front axles and there is a new bulletin on it. I’ll let you know when I hear more.
Interesting - I'm not seeing a new / updated TSB in the Workshop Library yet.
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